Bompastor Appointed as Chelsea Women’s Manager

Sonia Bompastor has been appointed as Chelsea Women’s manager on a four-year contract.

Bompastor’s appointment comes after a lengthy recruitment process after Emma Hayes announced in November 2023 that she would leave the club at the end of this season, in order to become the new Head Coach of USA Women.

Bompastor was most recently in charge of Lyon and since she took charge in April 2021, Lyon have won the last three Division 1 Feminine titles.

The 43 year-old also led Lyon to the UEFA Women’s Champions League title in her first season in charge, followed by Coupe de France Feminine a year later plus Trophee des Championnes titles in the last two seasons.

Speaking of her new managerial adventure, Bompastor commented: ” I am incredibly grateful to join Chelsea Football Club as the head coach of the women’s team. It is an institution in English football. I will give my all to this new project to meet the ambitions of the club, the staff and the players.

‘I hope to live up to Emma’s legacy and continue the work that has been done in recent years. Let the adventure begin.”

General Manager, Paul Green added that the club had “conducted a thorough and considered recruitment process to identify Emma’s successor. Sonia’s vision, coaching philosophy and winning mentality made her the outstanding candidate.

“She is a world-class coach with a proven track record of success on the biggest stages that will instantly command respect from the dressing room.”

Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley meanwhile described Bompastor as “the ideal candidate to build on Emma’s legacy and take the team forward.

“She brings a wealth of experience from managing at the highest levels and winning trophies as a player and a coach. Her ethos and values align with Chelsea Football Club. We are all looking forward to having her on board.”

Bompastor will officially take up her new job later this summer when Chelsea return for pre-season training, with the French boss joined by her assistant, Camille Abily.